I’ve had the coloring books for fashions of the 1920s and 1950s for a while, and it occurred to me that I should check for my favorite decades. Voila! The 1960s and 1970s are now mine.
Coloring has become part of my writing process. When I need to think and plot and create dialogue in my head, I can do that while coloring. When I’m thinking of where to go next with a specific character, I’ll color a page that makes me think of him or her. When I need a break from anything to do with writing and want to do something creative but not intense, coloring wins. I can take along a coloring book and my travel kit of pencils when I have to wait in a car or waiting room, go to jury duty, or sit outside. When I want to listen to music; unwind or relax without phones, iPads, laptop; and back before the pandemic, hang out with friends at the table, coloring is friendly to all that.
Back in the days when I was sewing doll clothes, something very hurtful was said to me. It doesn’t matter what or who, but sometimes when I’m coloring, I’ll realize that an equally disparaging remark could be made. It’s okay if everyone doesn’t understand the following, but I can say two things about myself: I am never bored. I rarely if ever waste time. That is measuring by my own yardstick, of course, and not anyone else’s, but when I hear other people talk about their lives, I often hear them say, “I was bored,” “I am bored,” “we were just wasting time,” “I thought I’d waste some time,” and “I don’t have anything to do!” I assume they are measuring with their own yardsticks, too. I’ll stick with my way, thanks.
On the theme of tiny, those two small coloring books have the potential to bring me infinite enjoyment.
That bed tray enables me to eat meals where I’m writing. It’s a small thing, too, but sometimes I remember that I used to write and then sit back and smoke while I read and edited what I’d written. I’ll happily and more healthily take (sample meal) an apple, burger, chips, and peach tea over smoking.
Those little apple slices are a sure sign that a certain character is about to reappear in my WIP. I can’t wait to see him again as I wrap up this second book (only a chapter and a half to go!).
The bedspread missing on this bed is because it’s being washed in our new washing machine. This was NOT a tiny disappointment–I didn’t expect to be buying a new washer–and it’s not a tiny washing machine, either. But soon, I’ll get the small satisfaction of finishing bed-making in the middle bedroom. This week, the sheets make me think of ANOTHER character who’ll also show up soon. Looking forward to him, too.
A life is made up of so many small and large things. Choose your words wisely when you judge another person’s use of time and energy. Or maybe: Keep your judgments to yourself.
Someone in my life always says they are bored. I don’t get it there are so many books to read, stories to write, and pages to color. I was going to ask you, do you finish the whole page when you color, or do you WIP it. I don’t think I could ever color an entire page in one day
Totally depends on the complexity of the drawing. A lot of them I will do in one sitting. It’s also faster for me with watercolor pens. Pencils take longer, but work better if what I’m coloring is more detailed. Gel pens may be faster, too.
Sometimes I’ll find one in a book I started and forgot (especially if I start it while I’m out somewhere). Like this one. Began it March 2016 and finished in June 2016.
There was a bigger gap for my jury duty one (began May 2019 and finished May 2020 because I forgot it existed).
P.S. And you also cross stitch and watch a lot of shows. I don’t do that, but I do a lot of organizing projects. But if I were bored, I have a ton of DVDs with favorite movies. There are never enough hours in the day for all that I can find to entertain or occupy myself. Oddly, that rarely involves cleaning, lol.